Archived Web Chat with Sonia Ruseler

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls and boys: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 7:21AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [1 ]
Ms. Ruesler, what is the most exciting news story you have covered?

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 9:32AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [2 ]
Sonia Ruesler will be here at 10 a.m., PDT. Please join us then!

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 9:52AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [3 ]
Hello Everyone! Sonia Ruseler will be here in just a few moments... STay tuned!

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 9:53AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [4 ]
hi sandy

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 9:57AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [5 ]
sandy, please call us back. we were disconnected. the number is 202/515-2926

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 9:58AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [6 ]
Hello Sonia! We're very glad you could join us today and we're most appreciative that you could fill in for your colleague Judy Woodruff.

Bordentown High School: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 9:59AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [7 ]
What has been your biggest inspiration in pursuing a journalism career?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:00AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [8 ]
hello everyone i'm here

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:01AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [9 ]
bordentown my biggest inspiration has been knowing how much news means to people who can't get it, like in dictatorships, because i lived under one.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:02AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [10 ]
Where are you from?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:03AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [11 ]
I'm from Buenos AIRES, ARGENTINA, a really cool country in South America

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:04AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [12 ]
What is the most exciting story that you have covered?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:04AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [13 ]
Where did you attend college?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:05AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [14 ]
We saw you on CNN today...

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:05AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [15 ]
John Kerr The most exciting story was covering the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:06AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [16 ]
John Kerr It was amazing to see all those folks walking and jumping over the wall, when 2 days earlier they would have been shot for crossing to a free country.

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:07AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [17 ]
Ms. Ruseler, Are you in Argentina now?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:07AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [18 ]
Do you consider yourself a role model?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:08AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [19 ]
bordentown wow!!! it's so great to know if you're watching! I went to college in Cambridge University, in England.

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:09AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [20 ]
john kerr hey no I'm in washington d.c, the nation's capital, but my family is all in argentina

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:09AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [21 ]
You were swell!

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:10AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [22 ]
Where did you make your start?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:11AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [23 ]
bordentown being a role model.... that feels like a big responsibility, but if any one of you wants to be a journalist, it's a wonderful way to discover our wolrd.

Claire: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:11AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [24 ]
Do you think there is a difference between the way news is presented here in Americana and in Europe?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:11AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [25 ]
bordentown being a role model.... that feels like a big responsibility, but if any one of you wants to be a journalist, it's a wonderful way to discover our wolrd.

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:11AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [26 ]
You have traveled many places, do you enjoy traveling?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:12AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [27 ]
bordentown I made my start in london, england at the BBC.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:12AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [28 ]
What is the downside of being a women anchor in this field?

Melinda: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:12AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [29 ]
Do you speak any foreign languages and if so is this as asset in your career? Do you ever cover stories in other languages or get to do stories because you can speak the language?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:13AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [30 ]
do you have a email address?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:13AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [31 ]
claire yep, big differences: the europeans like longer analysis, the americans want news fast, immedate and to know how it affects them

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:15AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [32 ]
johnkerr yes all over europe, latin america, asia (where i backpacked a year and worked as a Tokyo correspondent), and just one country in Africa. I love it.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:15AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [33 ]
Was it hard to adjust to the culture and Language in the US?

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:16AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [34 ]
Hello fromIndiana

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:16AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [35 ]
bordentown the downside of being a woman anchor is that everyone seems to care nmore about how you look, than how you do your job!!! Like how bad your hair looks!!! And boy, it can look bad some days...

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:16AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [36 ]
We are in our library now, what is your favorite book?

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:18AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [37 ]
I like Judy Blume

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:18AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [38 ]
Hello Linton in Indiana! Do you have a question for Sonia?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:18AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [39 ]
melinda hi, I speak many languages. First Spanish, which is my home language, also Dutch, some French, and very very basic Japanese. It's been really helpful in my career. Soon I hope to work on CNN's new all spanish news channel

Melinda: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [40 ]
Is it always as glamourous as it seems being on t.v. Do you ever feel like not having to look good?

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [41 ]
Our class hadthe time messed up, and now they are gone.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:19AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [42 ]
Do you have a clothing allowance?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:20AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [43 ]
bordentown hi again-- it wasn't hard to adjust to being in the U-S because people have been really friendly. The only funny thing is that everyone thinks I'm English, so they talk about England a lot to me!

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:20AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [44 ]
Do you work with WolfBlitzer?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:21AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [45 ]
john kerr my favourite favourite book is "100 years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. He won that Nobel Prize a few years ago. It's a really magical book.

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:21AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [46 ]
Linton: Sorry to hear that the times got messed up for you. Sonia will answer your question in a minute.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:21AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [47 ]
How long is your average work day?

Willow Oaks Elem.: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:22AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [48 ]
We know that Judy Woodruff was called away on assignment. How do you deal with emergencies like this and how does it affect you personal life? Do you ever regret going into this career?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:22AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [49 ]
melinda: it is definitely NOT as glamourous. Right now I spend all my time off the air blowing my nose and sniffling with allergies!

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:22AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [50 ]
How does your job affect you family or personal life?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:23AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [51 ]
What is your political standpoint?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:24AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [52 ]
bordentown - I WISH I had a clothing allowance-- that would be fun. It gets very boring buying official "work" jackets, when I'd prefer more causal stuff.

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:24AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [53 ]
linton yes I do work with Wolf Blitzer, We just did a live shot together today

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:26AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [54 ]
Where at? Growing up, I remember him more than any other anchor.

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:26AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [55 ]
bordentown my average workday in the office is 7 hours. It's shorter than most jobs, because being on the air is stressful.

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:27AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [56 ]
Hello...host. How can I get to chat with another specialist today at 11:00?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:27AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [57 ]
Describe that stress...

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:27AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [58 ]
willowoaks yes judy's in denver for the oklahoma city trial. Being called away on emergencies is the hardest part of being a journalist, especially for reporters. If I'd realised that, I might not have started this career.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:28AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [59 ]
What inspired you to become a journalist?

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:28AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [60 ]
Linton: Unfortunately the chat for 11 a.m. has filled up, as far as being a participant and asking questions. You can participate by being an observer!

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:28AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [61 ]
bordentown you know, part of being a journalist is being open of all the political arguments, and trying to report them fairly.

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:30AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [62 ]
linton wolf blitzer works at the white house, so he was telling us what's happening with a chemical weapons treaty today. I was in our D.C. studio debriefing him.

Sherry: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:31AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [63 ]
Sonia- Do you think you may pursue another career? What is the burnout rate of newscasters?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:31AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [64 ]
bordentown being on the air is stressful, because things often change or go wrong without viewers knowing. So you have to cover up, and then if I make a mistake it's so horribly public and you feel you've let all your colleagues down.

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:31AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [65 ]
Where at? Growing up, I remember him more than any other anchor.

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:32AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [66 ]
Linton: See Sonia's response in [62]

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:33AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [67 ]
bordentown what inspired to to become a journalist, I think, is that I like learning things, and know what's going on...and get bored very quickly by doing the same thing. And because the news always changes, it's definitely never bo9ring

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:33AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [68 ]
Does your career interfere with your social life?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:35AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [69 ]
sherry defintely one day. the burnout rate among newscasters is high, and to be honest, for women, still today, you'll see very few over 50 on the air.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:36AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [70 ]
Does that discourage you?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:36AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [71 ]
Have you received any awards?

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:36AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [72 ]
bordentown I think everyone's career does interfere with seeing their friends more.

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:37AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [73 ]
Who is your hero?

John Kerr Elementary 4th grade girls: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:37AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [74 ]
Thank you very much for talking with us.

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:38AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [75 ]
bordentown of course, making mistakes makes me feel terrible. But then other times, when you get it right, then that feels better. the point about working in tv is that everything is a team effort.

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:38AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [76 ]
There's no way we could getinthe next chat?

Linton: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:38AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [77 ]
There's no way we could get in the next chat?

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:39AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [78 ]
John Kerr: thank you so much for joining us today! We hope you can join us again for more WebChats. If you're interested in Mars, there are weekly "Live From Mars" chats. Go to: button and click on "featured events" to find out more!

Ruseler/CNN: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:39AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [79 ]
everyone it was really fun chatting with you all today, but I have to go back to work now. I'm on the air again in 45 minutes, for an hour, doing news that can be seen across 210 countries allover the world. Sorry to leave y'all

Sandy/NASA Chat Host: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:39AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [80 ]
Linton: I'm sorry, the next chat is full. But you can participate by observing!

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:40AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [81 ]
What is the most difficult thing you have to do on an individual assignment?

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:41AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [82 ]
BUH BYE!!!!!!!!!!!

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:41AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [83 ]
THANX!!!!!

Bordentown: . . . . Thu, Apr 24, 10:42AM PDT (-0700 GMT). . . [84 ]